Kerala Assembly rampage: Police book LDF MLAs, begin probe

Two days after Kerala Assembly was rocked by unprecedented violence, some opposition LDF MLAs have been booked in connection with destruction caused during the incidents as police on Sunday visited the legislature premises to collect evidence in the case.

Thiruvananthapuram: Two days after Kerala Assembly was rocked by unprecedented violence, some opposition LDF MLAs have been booked in connection with destruction caused during the incidents as police on Sunday visited the legislature premises to collect evidence in the case.

Acting on a complaint from the Assembly Secretary with regard to destruction of some property in the house, a case had been registered against some opposition MLAs under relevant section of Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act and IPC sections 447 (criminal trespass) and 427 (mischief causing damage), police said today.

Property worth Rs five lakh had been destroyed in the violence, according to the complaint, they said.

A Police team went to the Assembly to prepare the 'mazhar' with regard to the destruction caused on March 13 when the ruling and opposition MLAs had come to blows over budget presentation by Finance Minister KM Mani, facing charges in the bar bribery scam.

"We visited the Assembly to collect evidence. The probe in the case has begun and is progressing," city Police Commissioner H Venkatesh told PTI.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Suresh Kumar, who led the team, said the complaint was filed against 'some opposition MLAs. "We are yet to find out who are responsible for the violence and damage."

Police would go through video clips to pinpoint the accused, he added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said no action would be taken against the watch and ward staff who were only doing their duty. At least 12 watch and ward staff were injured in the melee, he said.

The opposition LDF had alleged its MLAs had been targeted by the watch and ward staff and several of them were injured.

The LDF members bid to stall Mani from presenting the budget in view of corruption charges had turned violent when a section of them vandalised Speaker's dias and uprooted his chair and pulled out the mike system and computer.

The violence prompted state Governor P Sathasivam to express deep concern and called for appropriate action against those responsible for the 'unruly behaviour'.